Issaquah-based Costco and other major retailers have challenged the Quebec government in court over the Canadian province’s strict language laws.

The laws require retailers to post signs and serve customers in French, the predominant language in Quebec. The province’s French language office called for retailers to add French phrases or slogans to signs, or face fines and legal action.

The plaintiffs’ suit, filed in October, asked the Quebec Superior Court to assess the French language office’s policy change.

Puget Sound Energy residential electric customers planning to hit Issaquah stores early for Black Friday shopping can receive a free LED bulb from the utility provider.

The first 50 people in line at Best Buy and Fred Meyer can receive a 40-watt equivalent LED bulb. The energy-efficient bulb uses less energy than incandescent or compact fluorescent light bulbs, lasts years longer and is dimmable.

The day after Thanksgiving, long before the sun rises, open season for bargains starts at retailers throughout Issaquah and beyond.

Black Friday sends shoppers pinging from store to store like a pinball in search of deals — a 32-inch LCD television for $147 at Target, perhaps, or a Blu-ray player for $39.99 at Best Buy. Consumers brave predawn darkness, long lines and sharp elbows to score early-bird bargains.

The boost to retailers’ bottom lines could also offer a jolt to city coffers. Popular Black Friday destinations — including Bed Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, Fred Meyer, Target and, of course, Issaquah-based Costco — lure consumers from throughout the region.

Issaquah is a retail hub on the Eastside, and city officials hope the holiday rush resuscitates a flat year for spending. Overall, sales tax revenue forms a key piece in the city budget — a larger share than property tax revenue and permit fees, other main sources of dollars.

The longtime party store in the Issaquah Commons along Northwest Gilman Boulevard moved the celebration elsewhere last week to make way for Trader Joe’s.

Party @ Display & Costume settled in a space next to Best Buy in the same shopping center as Fred Meyer and The Home Depot along East Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast. The relocated party store opened to customers May 31.

The 60-year-old company also operates stores in Everett and Seattle.

Party @ Display & Costume left a space at the Issaquah Commons near Lane Bryant and Ross Dress for Less to make room for a relocated Trader Joe’s.

The specialty grocer’s existing location in Pickering Place does not meet the 10,000-square-foot threshold for retailers to sell liquor, but the former party store space in the Issaquah Commons offers enough space.

Best Buy announced a plan March 29 to close 50 stores nationwide, but the electronics retailer did not outline the future for the Issaquah store.

“We will announce details about additional, specific store locations and timing for closings as they are finalized,” a company representative said in a response to emailed questions.

In February 2010, Best Buy — headquartered in Richfield, Minn. — announced plans to open a store in Issaquah. The store opened in the same retail center as Fred Meyer in November 2010, just in time for the holiday shopping rush.

The local Best Buy sprawls across almost 40,000 square feet in the former La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries.

Best Buy announced a plan March 29 to close 50 stores nationwide, but the electronics retailer did not outline the future for the Issaquah store.

“We will announce details about additional, specific store locations and timing for closings as they are finalized,” a company representative said in a response to emailed questions.

In February 2010, Best Buy — headquartered in Richfield, Minn. — announced plans to open a store in Issaquah. The store opened in the same retail center as Fred Meyer in November 2010, just in time for the holiday shopping rush.

The local Best Buy sprawls across almost 40,000 square feet in a former La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries.